Noticed rust forming on Model 10 Predator barrel and action!

I noticed some very light surface rust forming on my Model 10 Predator (MAX1 camo on stock but blued barrel). This is very unusual as I follow the same wipe-down routine religiously on all my rifles and never had this happen, nor is it happening to any rifles in this same gun cabinet. It occured to me the coating on this rifle is different than all my other rifles. This Savage has a rough matte finish - I don't know the technical term for it.

I have numerous other rifles with a matte finish but they are all smooth steel. I'm wondering if my wipe-down routine using a silicone cloth isn't adequately getting down into the textured finish on the Predator? That's my theory since it's the only difference I can see between this gun and all my others. ;)

Thoughts on if the finish itself is not as suited to a silicone cloth wide-down?

Sounds logical to me. Try using something a bit more saturated, or spray then wipe.

Your silicone pad isnt getting enough silicone on the barrel and action. I much prefer a cleaning patch with gun oil on it to wipe down my rifles and handguns. If at some time you used the rifle and it was hot and you were sweating, handling the rifle would leave acidy oils from your hands on the metal parts and silicone wont remove or neutralize it.

El Lobo

Spray it down "real good" with WD 40. Wipe it off then get after it with lots of good gun oil. The WD will drive out any moisture.

Wd-40 and a soft barbers brush spray brush lightly and wipe just my .02

have a friend w/ a gun store..he showed me how they clean up trade in's w/ rust..liberly cote the gun w/ hoppies # 9 and let it soak over night..take oooo steel wool make a pad and soak it w/ hoppies and have at the rust..it'll nock off the surface rust..but a pit is a pit.it,ll clean em up ..but won't take a pit out..i duck hunt and live no more that 20' from salt water..i've used G96 spray ..and never had a rusty gun..the stuff flat works

I have used marvel mystery oil for years and you can get a half a quart for a 1 or 2 at the dollar general or wally world.

Jonbeerman, Dont use Marvel Mystery Oil on any muzzleloader you have fired with black powder, it wont stop the rust from that. I found out the hard way.

El Lobo

Muzzleloaders get cleaned with hot soapy water. Lots of it! WD will drive out the moisture. Gun oil after that. Keeps all of my muzzleloaders clean with no rust, ever. ;)

+1 on mikeys advice aboput cleaning muzzleloaders. And the sythetic powders are very corrosive, like Pyrodex, so clean all guns using them the same way.

El Lobo

Waaayy off original topic but if you use "real" black powder in your muzzle loader it is best to stay away from petrolium products as they make even more gunk next time you fire a round. The hot soapy water is great but you will be better served with ballistol, bore butter etc. in off the shelf stuff or tallow etc. if you want "home made".

BP plus petrolium equals nasty mess!